- The Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) has launched its digital library into early access.
- Includes over 30,000 files and over 1,500 out-of-print video game magazines, fully text-searchable.
- Offers previously unreleased materials such as development documents, concept art, and press kits from iconic video games.
- The library seeks to preserve the history of video games and foster research, supported by public donations.
With a focus on preserving and making accessible the gaming world's past, the Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) has taken a significant step forward in launch your digital library in early access format. This ambitious file offers the public access to a rich collection of historical materials, including video game magazines, development documents, and other industry-related content.
The initiative aims to respond to the lack of accessible historical resources in the industry, a problem that has limited academic research, specialized journalism and preservation projects for years. The launch of this library marks an important step forward in the foundation's efforts to ensure that current and future generations can explore and study the history behind video games.
An impressive initial catalogue
The digital library features over 30,000 files, including over 1,500 video game magazines currently out of print.These magazines are fully text-searchable and cover several decades of history, offering a valuable window into the industry's past. Notable examples include issues from publications such as GamePro and Electronic Gaming Monthly, which have been carefully digitized and organized.
Besides, The library includes unpublished materials, such as development documents, concept art, press kits, and up to 100 hours of footage from the development of the popular series “Myst”. According to the foundation, collections such as the personal archives of Mark Flitman, an executive at companies such as Konami, Acclaim and Atari, and an extensive compilation of promotional materials from FromSoftware.
Preserving the past to build the future
The Video Game History Foundation's mission goes beyond simply opening its archive to the publicSince its founding in 2017, the nonprofit has worked to preserve materials that reflect the evolution of video games as a medium. According to VGHF founder Frank Cifaldi, the hope is that this initiative will inspire people to research and tell new stories based on this vast archive.
The library is designed not only for researchers and professionals, but also for fans and content creators, facilitating access to materials that would otherwise be inaccessible or would be dispersed among private collections.
Challenges and obstacles along the way
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the launch, the foundation faces some practical challenges. High initial demand has made access to the library slow in some cases, due to loading time issues on the website. Additionally, the library does not include any playable titles, as current Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) restrictions in the United States hamper the ability to offer remote digital copies of older video games.
Recent studies conducted by the foundation indicate that Only 13% of titles released before 2010 are commercially available, leaving the remaining 87% inaccessible without resorting to problematic methods such as piracy. With this initiative, The VGHF seeks to prevent more important fragments of video game history from being lost forever.
How you can support this cause
The VGHF digital library is free for all users, but as a nonprofit organization, the maintenance and expansion of this initiative depends in part on donations from interested parties. Fans who wish to help with this historic preservation project can contribute through the foundation's official website.
Early Access is just the beginning. The library is in constant development, and VGHF plans to add more materials in the coming months., which promises to further expand its reach and importance as a key historical resource.
With projects like this, it's clear that video game history, once relegated to nostalgia, is establishing itself as a serious and respected area of study. The work of the Video Game History Foundation marks a milestone for all those who value cultural preservation of this growing environment.
I am a technology enthusiast who has turned his "geek" interests into a profession. I have spent more than 10 years of my life using cutting-edge technology and tinkering with all kinds of programs out of pure curiosity. Now I have specialized in computer technology and video games. This is because for more than 5 years I have been writing for various websites on technology and video games, creating articles that seek to give you the information you need in a language that is understandable to everyone.
If you have any questions, my knowledge ranges from everything related to the Windows operating system as well as Android for mobile phones. And my commitment is to you, I am always willing to spend a few minutes and help you resolve any questions you may have in this internet world.